Hand brake



Sept. 26, 1933.

R. J. OLANDER HAND BRAKE Filed Jan. 12 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet Inventor Roland J Olanaier Bu M flity,

Se t. 26, 1933. R, J. OLANDER HAND BRAKE Filed Jan. 12 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Roland J 01 1116161" Patented Sept. 26, 1933 I UNITED STATES HAND BRAKE Roland J. Olander, Chicagalll assignor to W.

H. Miner, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application January 12, 1933. Serial No. 651,263 26 Claims. (01. 74-112) This invention relates to improvements in hand brakes.

'One object of the invention is to provide a hand brake mechanism wherein spinning of the usual operating hand wheel is prevented during release of the brakes, thereby protecting the brakemanfrom injury. I

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a hand brake of the character described in the preceding paragraph, means controlled by rotation of the hand wheel in brake-tightening direction to operatively connect the hand wheel to and disconnect the same from the usual winding mechanism so that the latter will be automatically thrown into operation when the hand wheel is rotated in chain-winding direction and will be automatically completelyreleased, without spinning of the hand wheel, by initial rotation of the hand wheel in chain-unwindingdirection.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide, in a hand brake mechanism of the powermultiplying, worm gear operated type, clutch means controlled by rotation of the hand wheel in one direction for operatively connecting the worm gear to the usual chain-winding drum and controlled by rotation of the hand wheel in a reverse direction for disconnecting the worm gear and drum to permit free rotation of the latter to 7 release the brakes I 1 Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is. a vertical-sectional view of a hand brake mechanism, illustrating my improvements in connection therewith, the hand brake mechanism being shown as mounted on the vertical end wall of a railway car, and the section being in a plane parallel to said wall. Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 3--3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is an elevational view, partly broken away, looking toward the right in Figure 1, illustratingone position of a certain weighted lever. Figure 5 is a. view similar to Figure 1, partly broken away, showing the parts in a difierent positon. Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the parts in the position illustrated in Figure -5.-

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the weighted. lever in' another position. And Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 3,'showing the weighted lever :in the position illustrated in Figure '7. I

In said drawings, the improved hand brake mechanism is illustrated as enclosedin a housing 10 mounted on the vertical end-wall of a railway car by means of bolts 1.1.-11 orsimilar securing members extending through lugs 1212 onthe rear wall of the housing.

My improved hand brake mechanism comprises broadly a chain-winding 'drum A; a worm wheel B; a worm C; a hand wheel D; a sliding clutch element E; a clutch spring F; a clutch operating lever G; a rotary actuating member H for the lever G; and a weighted lever K.

The chain-winding drum A is hollow, as clearly shown in Figure 1, and has cylindrical bearing portions 13 and 14 at. opposite ends journaled' respectively in bearing "seats 15 and 16 provided in the vertical end wall 17 and partition wall 18 of the housing 10. The diameter'of the bearing portion 14; is greater than that of the bearing portion 13, and the drum is providediwith interior clutch projections at the end whichhas the bearing portion 14.- ,The brake chain, which is.

indicated by 19, ,iswound on the drum A in the usual. manner and has one end thereof-fixed to. the drum by means of a pin 20 extending through a pair of lugs 21-21 and the. end linkof the chain 19, which end linkis disposed between the lugs 2121. The lugs 21- 21 are formed integral with the chain-winding drum A. Y

The worm wheel? has oppositely projecting,

cylindrical hub portions 22I22,' which are journaled inbearings .23 23 provided on the partition'wall '18 and the end wall 24 of the .main

body portion of the housing 10. clearly shownin Figure 1', the bearing 23, which is carried by I the partition wall 18 of the housing, forms a continuation of the bearing 16 but is 'of smaller div ameter than said last named bearing- ,The Worm wheel B is provided with anfaxial opening .25,

The worm C is disposed below the worm-wheel B and meshes therewith. The opposite ends .of'

the worm C. are .journaled in bearings provided in the front and'rear walls ofthe housing, and I the hand wheel .D is fixed to the outer end of;

said: worm, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The hand wheel is also indicated indotted lines in Figure 1.

The sliding clutchelement E is in formprojections of the chain-winding drum A. The

clutch element E projects beyond the bearing which extends through the hub portions of the 9 worm wheel.

weighted lever arm 46 fixed to the outer end of and hasa disc, forming an annular flange 27, secured to the outer end thereof. The clutch element E is slidable within the opening of the worm wheel B and has longitudinally extending ribs 2 828, which engage within Similarly fo'rmedgrooves 29-29 on the interior walls of the opening 25 of the Worm wheel 13; The interengaging ribs 28 and grooves 29 provide for rotation=of the clutch element E in unison'with the worm wheel B. r

The clutch spring F is disposed within the hollow portion of the drum A and has its oppo-' site'ends bearing respectively on the clutch head v '26 and a wall section 30 of the bearing member 15. The spring F is under compression so that it normally holds the clutch element E in the position shown in Figure 1, that is, with the projections of the clutch head 26 engaged with the projections of the chain-winding drum A. As will be evident when the clutch is thus engaged, the chain-winding drum is rotated in unison with the worm wheel 13 when the latter is actuated through rotation of the Worm C.

The clutch operating lever G and the rotary actuating member H are disposed within achamber 31 provided at the left-hand side of the housing 10, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. The lever G is pivoted between its ends on a bolt 32, which extendsthrough one of the walls of the chamberSl and a lug 33 projecting from the'wall 24 of the main body portion of the housing 10. The upper arm 34 of the lever G is laterally offset, as clearly shown in Figure 1, and has a fork 35 at'the upper end engaging with =the flange 27 of the clutch element E, thereby operatively connecting thelever G to the clutch element for shifting the latter. The lower arm 36 of the lever G is engaged by and actuated through the member H. j

The actuating member H is in the form of a disc having an interrupted set of worm gear teeth 37, which are adapted to mesh with the threads of the: Worm C. To one side of the set of teeth 37, the disc of the actuating member H is pro- ;vided with an opening 38 into which the lower end of the arm 36 of the lever G projects. The

opening 38 is provided. with opposedside walls 39 and 40, which form abutment shoulders adapted to engage the arm 36 to swing the lever G when the actuating member H is oscillated. On

the inner side, the disc portion of the actuating member H is provided with a substantially radial stop projectionv or rib 41, which cooperates with the weighted lever K. The rotary actuating member H is journaled on ashort shaft 42 whichhas its lower end supportedin a bearing socket 43 provided on the bottom wall of the chamber 31.

' The weighted lever K comprises a horizontally disposed shaft 44, a lever arm 45 fixed to said said shaft. The arm 45 of the lever Kis proing fingers 48 and49, which are adapted to em gage with the rib 41 of the actuating member H.

Thefinge'r 48 is of lesser width than the finger 49, as clearly shown in Figure 5, and the member H has a raised portion 148 on which the finger.

48 mayride to prevent accidental engagement of the latter with the right-hand side of the rib 41 as viewed in Figure 7. As clearly illustrated a in Figure 4, the weighted arm 46 of the lever Kprojects in the same direction from the shaft 44 as the arm 45 so that the finger 4910f the arm45 will engage with the rib 41 of the member brakes.

H and will be maintained in that position by the weighted arm 46. Thelshaft 44 is supported at its outer end in a bearing opening 50 provided in the outer vertical wallof thechamber 31 and has its inner end supported in an opening in the wall 24 of the main'body portion of the housing 10. upper end of the shaft 42, the shaft 42 being provided with a transverse opening 51 through elusive, is engaged with the chain-winding drum A, the latter also will be rotated,'thereby eifecting winding of the chain and tightening of the During this operation, the weighted lever K is in the position shown in Figure4, thereby'pressing the finger 49 of the head 47 of the lever arm 45 against the rib 41 of the member H and tending to rotate the latter in a direction. to bring the interrupted set of teeth 37 thereof into operative engagement with the threads of the worm C. Inasmuch as the worm C is provided with left-hand threads, as clearly shown in Figure 3, rotation of the Worm while the brakes are being applied will prevent the The shaft 44 also forms a support for the a teeth of the actuating memberI-I from being engaged with the threads of the worm, because the end thread of the latter will cam over the first tooth of the actuating member H. How-' ever, rotation of the worm C in a reverse direction will cause the threads thereof to engage with theinterrupted set of teeth 37 of the memher if and effect rotation of the latter in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3.

In' releasing the brakes, the hand wheel D isrotated in a contraclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, thereby eifecting rotation of the Worm'wheel B'in a direction reverse to that produced while the brakes are being applied. During the contraclockwise rotation of' engagement with. the threads of the worm c through the action of the weighted lever K, as hereinbefore described. Further rotation of the hand Wheel D in chain-unwinding direction will causethe actuating member Hto be rotated to the position shown in Figure 6, thereby forcing the lever arm 36 of the lever G to the left, as viewed in Figuresfi and 6. The" swinging movement of the lever 6 thus produced will force the clutch element E toward the right, as viewed in Figures 1 and 5, and disengage the clutch head 26 from the clutch projections of the chainwinding'drum A, as clearly shown in Figure 5. 7

When the parts have assumed this position, the chain-winding drum is free to rotate and instantaneous release of the brakes is had without any rotation or spinning of the hand wheel D.

- In applying the brakes with the .parts left in the position'shown in Figures 5 and 6, it'is'merely necessary to rotate the hand wheel in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1. Initial rotation of the hand wheel D and the worm C in this direction will cause rotation of both the worm wheel B and the actuating member H. Rotation of the worm wheel B and the actuating member H be in a direction reverse to that when the brakes are being tightened, thereby causing the member H to rotate from the position shown in-Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 3. During such rotation of the member-H, the shoulder 39 thereof will engage the arm 36 of the lever G and swing the same from the position shown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure '1, thereby-reengaging the clutch head 26 with the clutch projections of r the I chain-winding drum- A. When the parts are in this position, the'interrupted set of teeth 37 of the actuating member "latter is rotated from the posit-ion"shown inF-ig- -ure ;3 to thatshown in Figure-6, With the clutch 1H will clear the innermost thread of the worm C, thereby permitting furtherrotation of the worm C without effecting any further movement of the member H, the lever G, and the clutch element E. In this connection it is pointed out that the clutch spring F' is auxiliary to the lever .G in bringing the clutch head 26' of the clutch element-E into engagement with the clutch pro- :iections :of the chain-winding drum Ar The spring F will seat the projections of the clutch head 26 between the projections of the chainthereby permitting complete backing off of the brakes. In order to operate my improved mechanism in this manner with theclutch engaged, as shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the weighted lever K is swung from. the position shown Figure 4 to that shown in Figures '7 and :8. As clearly shown .in Figure 7, the finger 48 :0f the arm 45 of the lever K is in engagement with the ribdl of theactuat'ing member H, thereby holding the shoulder 39 against the .arm 36 of the lever G and maintaining the toothed section 37 of the member H spaced from the innermost thread of the worm C, as shown in Figure 8. In view of the fact that the clutch operating lever G is at this time in its outermost position and held against movement by the :clutch head 26 of the clutch element E being seated against the corresponding hub section ofthe worm wheel B, the weighted lever K will .be supported and held against movement in the position shown in Figure 7 The teeth 3'7 of the actuating member H will thus be held out of contact with the worm C until the weighted lever K is shifted .back to the position shown in Figure 4. As will be evident when the lever K is the position shown-in Figures '7 and 8, the worm C may be rotated in either direction without engagingthe teeth 'of the actu ating member H, thereby permittingthe chain to be fully wound on the drum A and unwoundlfrom the same without operating the clutch element E. In order to again render the clutch'operative, it ismerely necessary to throw the weighted lever K back to the position shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. To prevent disengagement :of the finger 49 of the lever K from the rib 41 of the actuating member H when the lever swings downwardly from the position shown in Figure 4, a stop lug 52 is provided on the housing 10. Downward movement of the weighted outer end of the'arm.

path of the threads of the worm C, but is" not su-ficient to allow .the finger 49 to swing upengaging and disengaging said clutch.

wormwheel B smooth and easy-operation of the clutch element -E is ensured by relieving the latter of all binding strains through-delay action of the aclutohwhil'e easing olf' the load on thebrake chain by partial unwinding of the latter. This; delayed action of the clutchis produced by providing lost motion between the arm 36 of the lever G and the actuating member H while the engaged and the parts in the'po'sition shown in Figure 3, the shoulder' ll) of the member II is spaced from the lever arm 36, and the clutch operating lever arm '36 will remain stationary during the unwinding of the brake chain until" the actuating member has been rotated to such :an extent that the abutment shoulder 40 engages the arm 36 0f the lever G and swings the same to operate the clutch." From the preceding description taken in connection with the'drawings, it will be evident that I have provided a hand brake mechanism so designed that the brakeman is fully protected from injury which m-ight-occur if' the hand wheel were permitted to spin while the brakes are being released and wherein the operation of the brakes is controlled entirely by the hand wheel; 2

I have herein shown and described whatvI now considerthe'preferred' manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and lzcontemplate all changes and modifications that come within thescope of the claims appendedhereto. I

I-claim': v 1 I g 1. In a hand brake mechanismythe combination with a rotary chain-winding member; of a IDD rotary driving member; a clutch operatively con meeting said winding member and driving member; manually actuated means operatively con nected to said drivingmember for rotating the same in reverse directions; and movable means operated by said manually actuated means'for 2. In a hand brake mechanism, the combinetion with a rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving member; a reciprocating clut'ch operatively connecting said Winding member and driving member; manually actuated means opere atively connected to said driving member for ro-' tatingthe same in reverse directions; and lever means operated by said manually actuated means for reciprocating the clutch; V

'3. In ahand b'r'ake mechanism, the 'combina-- tion with a rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving member; a clutch operativelyconnec'ting said winding member and driving member; manually actuatedmeans operatively con-'- nected to said driving member forrotating the same in reversedirections; movable means oper ated by said manually actuated means for 'engaging and disengaging said clutchyand means for throwing-said movable means out of opera-;

tion with a rotarygchain-winding member; 'of a" rotary "driving member; a reciprocating clutch operatively connecting saidwinding member and driving member; manually actuated means 'operatively iconnec'tedto said driving member for re tati-ng the same in reverse directions; a lever-for reciprocating said clutch; and 'movable means operated by said manually actuated means for Oscillating the lever to actuate'the clutch.

- 5, Ina hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving member; a reciprocatingclutch operatively connectingsaid winding member and driving member; manually actuated means oper atively connected to said driving member for rotating the same in reverse directions; a lever for reciprocating said clutch; movable means operated by said manually actuated means for. oscillating the lever to actuate the clutch; and-means for throwing said movable means out of operation wherebythe clutch remains engaged during both application and release of the brakes. 6. In a hand brake mechanism, the combina-'- tion with a rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving, member; a reciprocating clutch operatively connecting'said winding member and driving member; manually actuated means operatively connected to said driving member for rotating the same in reverse directions; a leverfor reciprocating said clutch; and movable means engageable with said manually actuated means and operated by the latterfor oscillatingvthe lever'to operate the clutch,

7. In a hand brake mechanism, the, combination with a'rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving member; a reciprocating clutch operatively connecting said winding member and driving member; manually actuated means operatively connected to said driving member for rotating the same in reverse directions; a lever for reciprocating said clutch; movable means engageable with said manually actuated means and operated by the latter for oscillating the lever to operate the clutch; and manually controlled displaceable means operative in one position for holding said movable means out of [engagement with said manually actuated means and operative in another position to yieldinglyurge said movable means into operative engagement with said manually actuated means. I

8. In a hand brake mechanism, the combina-- tion with a rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving member; a reciprocating clutch V operatively connecting said winding member and driving member; manually actuated means operatively connected to said driving member for rotating the same in reverse directions; a swinging lever for reciprocating'said clutch; and oscillatory meansv engageable with and operated by said manually actuated means for swinging said lever toactuatethe clutch. p v

9. In a hand-brakemechanism, the combination with a rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving member; a reciprocating clutch operatively connecting said winding member and driving member; manually actuatedmeans operatively connected to said driving member for rotating the same in reverse directions; a swinging lever for reciprocating saidclutch; oscillatory, means engageable with and operated by said manually ac-r tuated means for swinging said lever to actuate the clutch; and manually controlled displaceable tion with a rotary chain-winding member; of a. rotary driving member; a reciprocating clutch operatively connecting said winding member and driving member; a manually actuated worm member operatively meshing'with said driving, mem-.- ber for rotating the same in reverse directions; a pivotedlever :for reciprocating said clutch; and an oscillatory gear having interrupted teeth engageable with the worm to be actuated thereby, said gear being-operatively connected to the lever for actuating the same. 7

v 11, In a hand brake mechanism, the combination-with a rotary chain-winding member; ofva rotary driving member; a reciprocating clutch operatively connecting said winding member and driving member; amanually actuated worm mem ber operativelymeshing with said driving member for rotatingthe same ingreverse directions; a'piv-- 'oted lever for, reciprocating said clutch; an oscillatory gear having interrupted teeth engageable with the worm member to be. actuated thereby, said gearibeing operatively connected to the lever for actuating the same; and manually controlled means engageable with said gear for holding the teeth of the same disengaged fromthe worm member. I I

12. In a hang brake mechanism, the combina-.: tion with a rotary chain-winding memberyof a rotary driving member;- a reciprocating clutch op-. eratively connecting said winding-member and driving member; a manually actuated worm member operatively meshing withthe driving member for rotating the same in reverse directions; a 'pivoted lever for reciprocating s'aid'clutch; an oscillatory'gear'having a toothed section .engageable with the worm member and actuated thereby, said gear being operatively connected tothe lever for actuating the same; and nianually controlled means engageable with said gear for yieldingly urging thetoothed section thereof, toward and into engagement with the worm member.

13. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving. member; a reciprocatingclutch' operatively connecting said winding member and driving member; a manually actuated wormmember operatively meshing with the driving member for rotating the samein reverse directions; a'pivoted lever forreciprocating said clutch; an oscillatory gear having a toothed sectionengageable with the worm member and actuatedthereby, said gear being operatively connected to the lever for actuating the same; and manually controlled means ldisplaceableto two different positions and engaged with said gear in one position to hold the gear. with the toothed section thereof disengaged from the worm, andenga'ged with the gear in the other position to bring the toothed section of the gear into mesh with the worm member.

14. In a hand brake mechanism,'the combination with a rotary chain winding member; of a rotary driving member; a reciprocating clutch op-' eratively connecting said winding member and driving member; manually actuated rotary means in constant engagement with the driving member for rotating the latter in reverse directions; and movable means operated by said manually actuated means during rotation of the driving 'memberv for engaging and disengaging said clutch. g

15. In a hand brake mechanism, the combina tion witharotary chain-winding member; of' a1. rotary driving member; a clutch operatively con; necting said winding member and driving mem ber; .manually actuated rotary means operatively connected to said driving-y member, .said rotary means being rotatablein reverse directions to ro-' tate the driving member in reverse directions; os-

cillatorymeans for actuating said clutch, said oscillatory means being operated by the rotary means when the latter is rotated in one direction; and cooperating means on said oscillatory means and rotary means for disengaging the oscillatory means from said rotary means when the latter is rotated in the reverse direction.

16. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving member; a clutch operatively connecting said winding member and driving member; manually actuated rotary means operatively connected to said driving member, said rotary means being rotatable in reverse 1 directions to rotate the driving member in reverse directions; oscillatory means for actuating said clutch, said oscillatory means being operated by the rotary means when the latter is rotated in one direction; and cooperating means on said oscillatory means and rotary means for holding the oscillatory means in inoperative position when said rotary means is rotated in the reverse direction.

17. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain-winding member; of a rotary driving member; a clutch operatively connecting said winding member and driving member; manually actuated rotary means operatively connected'to said driving member, said rotary means being rotatable in reverse directions to rotate the driving member in reverse directions; oscillatory means for actuating said clutch, said oscillatory means being operated by the rotary means when the latter is rotated in one direction; and cooperating means on said oscillatory means and rotary means for disengaging the oscillatory means from the rotary means and holding the oscillatory means in inoperative position throughout rotation of said rotary means in the reverse direction. a

18. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain-winding member; of a worm gear; a reciprocating clutch operatively connecting said worm gear and chain-winding member; a worm meshing with said gear; meansfor rotating said worm in reverse directions; an oscillatory member having interrupted worm gear teeth thereon adapted to mesh with the worm; and means connecting said oscillatory member and clutch for actuating the latter.

19. In a hand brake mechanism, the combina- ,tion with a rotary chain-winding member; of a worm gear; a reciprocating clutch operatively connecting said worm gear and chain-winding member; a worm meshing with said gear; means for rotating said worm in reverse directions; an oscillatory member having interrupted worm gear teeth thereon adapted to mesh with the worm; and a lever connected to the clutch for reciprocating the latter, said lever having a lost motion connection with the oscillatory member.

20. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain-winding member; of a worm gear; a reciprocating clutch operatively connecting said worm gear and chain-winding member; a worm meshing with said gear; means for rotating said worm in' reverse directions; an oscillatory member having interrupted worm gear teeth thereon adapted to mesh with the worm; a lever connected to the clutch for reciprocating the latter, said lever having a lost motion connection with the oscillatory member; and a weighted lever swingable to two different positions, said weighted lever in one position having worm in a directionto engage the teeth of the oscillatory member with the worm..

' ROLAND J. OLANDER. 

